Callistemon viminalis plant named &#39;CV01&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘CV01 ’ is a distinctive variety of  Callistemon viminalis , which is characterized by its combination of columnar shape, tall plant height, strong branching, short leaf blade, and stability and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

The present application claims priority from a provisional application No. U.S. 61/519,689 filed May 27 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Callistemon viminalis.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Callistemon viminalis disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘CV01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Callistemon viminalis, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘CV01’. Its market class is that of an ornamental tree or shrub. ‘CV01’ is intended for use in landscaping as a small tree or hedge shrub.

Parentage: The Callistemon viminalis variety ‘CV01’ was the result of a controlled pollination between seed parent Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’ (unpatented) and pollen parent un-named Callistemon viminalis in September 2005 at the Plant Breeding Institute in Cobbitty in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Seed were collected and germinated during 2006 and transplanted to the field in 10 cm pots in September of 2006. Initial selection took place in September 2009 based on the above stated criteria. In 2010 trials and evaluation continued including confirmation of DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability) and commercial propagation by cuttings. The cultivar was named ‘CV01’.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘CV01’ is propagated asexually by division. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘CV01’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘CV01’ is a distinctive variety of Callistemon viminalis which is characterized by the combination of tall plant height, columnar shape, dense growth habit and both longer and wider leaves.

As a shrub form of Callistemon, ‘CV01’ has a tall, upright, columnar growth habit with an overall plant height of approximately 2 to 2.5 meters (unpruned), a width of approximately 1 to 1.5 meters (unpruned) and strong shoot density. ‘CV01’ has a medium leaf length (35 to 45 mm) and a broad width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a ‘CV01’ plant (center), in the ground and unpruned, at approximately 3 years old with other F1 seedling accessions from the same parent cross for comparison.

FIG. 2 shows a typical inflorescence spike

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Callistemon viminalis known as ‘CV01’ based upon observations of 24-month old plants grown from rooted cuttings into 200 mm nursery pots in full sun in open beds in Clarendon, New South Wales, Australia during spring 2009-summer 2010. Plant observations and descriptions were taken in summer 2010.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘CV01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition.

In southern climates, corresponding approximately to USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11, ‘CV01’ is an evergreen perennial Callistemon viminalis. ‘CV01’ is an upright, fastigate plant, with short and broad leaf blades and a dense growth habit.

A botanical description of ‘CV01’ and comparisons with other varieties of Callistemon viminalis are provided below.

-   Technical description of the variety:     -   -   Plant characteristics.—Growth habit fastigate, height tall             (average foliar height in a 200 mm pot 110 cm), narrow width             (average width 45 cm) shoot density strong.         -   Stems.—Strong branching habit, branch angles acute. Shape is             cylindrical with a smooth and corky texture, greyed red in             color (approximately RHS 178C).         -   Leaves.—The simple leaves are sessile and absent of             stipules, arrangement is whorled. Shape is lanceolate,             margins entire, apex acute, base acute, venation pinnate             with upper and lower surface color green corresponding to             RHS 137B. Leaf texture in all stages is smooth and glabrous             to finely pubescence. Immature leaves, upper and lower side             color greyed green approximately RHS 174B. Mature leaves             length medium with an observed length of 42 mm (average             37.4 mm) and observed width of 8 mm (average 7.4 mm). Color             of both the upper and lower mature leaf surfaces are (RHS             137B).         -   Flowers and fruiting.—Flowering characteristics of ‘CV01’             are very similar in nature to that of seed parent, ‘Captain             Cook’: red bottlebrush flowers that almost completely             obscure the foliage in spring.         -   Inflorescence.—Oblong, cylindrical spikes approximately 8 to             10 cm long, comprised of many small sessile flowers with             exserted stamen.         -   Stamen.—Approximately 50 to 60 in number. Predominant color             of exserted stamens red (RHS 53B). Observed length of 20 to             22 mm (average length is 21.4 mm) and very thin in diameter             (less than 1 mm).         -   Flowers.—Sepals are immeasurably minute; corolla comprised             of five petals; ovate. Color approximates to yellow-green             (RHS 154C or 154D).         -   Cold and heat tolerance.—‘CV01’ has cold and heat tolerance             typical of Callistemon viminalis.         -   Drought tolerance.—‘CV01’ has good drought tolerance typical             of Callistemon viminalis once established.         -   Pest resistance.—No known insect pests. ‘CV01’ has disease             tolerance typical of Callistemon viminalis.         -   Cultural conditions.—‘CV01’ is tolerant of a wide range of             soil types and pH ranges. -   Comparisons with other Callistemon: As a shrub form of Callistemon,     ‘CV01’ is better suited for hedge and patio garden applications as     compared with the seed parent, Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’.     ‘CV01’ is characterized by a tall, upright and columnar growth habit     with an overall plant height of approximately 2 to 2.5 meters     (unpruned), a width of approximately 1 to 1.5 meters (unpruned) as     compared with ‘Captain Cook’ which has a medium height and a semi     upright to spreading habit with a height of approximately 1.5 to 2     meters (unpruned), a width of approximately 2 meters. ‘CV01’ has a     strong shoot density and retains this density at maturity whereas     ‘Captain Cook’ has a medium shoot density with a more open habit     once mature. ‘CV01’ has a medium leaf length (35 to 45 mm) whereas     Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’ has a long leaf length (50 to     60 mm). At a mean width of 7.4 mm, the leaves of ‘CV01’ are slightly     wider than those of Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’ which on     average have a width of approximately 6 mm. The characteristics of     ‘CV01’ are unusual for Callistemon viminalis, as these plants     usually have a semi upright, spreading or weeping habit. There have     been no other varieties of this species, known to the Inventor,     selected to date with a growth habit similar to that of ‘CV01’. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Callistemon viminalis plant named ‘CV01’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 